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Converting Linux HOWTOs into Book Format

Introduction

I wanted to print out Linux HOWTOs into book format. However, I am not fond
of manually converting the HOWTOs. Instead, since all the HOWTOs are available
in Postscript format, I figured out that I could download the Postscript
files on a regular basis and use various tools to convert the Postscript
files into book formatted Postscript and PDF files. I accomplished this
with a relatively small Perl script using a variety of Unix tools. I plan on
have a cron job run at least once a week to update the books.

Conclusion

This is just a simple Perl script I use to download and convert the
Postscript HOWTOs. My future goals involve:

using LWP in Perl instead of Lynx. Simple enough.

converting the entire Perl script into Python.

better error checking if the files don't get downloaded or if the
conversion doesn't work.

creating objects accepting text, TeX, Postscript, PDF, or other formats
that can be converted into Postscript fairly easily and then into book format.

For now, my simple Perl script works out just fine. I am interested in
converting other documents for people provided that the documentation falls
under some form of free documentation, like
Licenses For Documentation located at www.gnu.org.

Mark works as an independent consultant donating time to causes like
GNUJobs.com, writing articles, writing free software, and working
as a volunteer at eastmont.net.

Mark Nielsen

Mark works at ZING
(www.genericbooks.com) and
GNUJobs.com. Previously,
Mark founded The Computer Underground.
Mark works on non-profit and volunteer projects which promote free literature
and software. To make a living, he recruits people for GNU related jobs and
also provides solutions for web/database problems using Linux, FreeBSD, Apache,
Zope, Perl, Python, and PostgreSQL.